Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
  • E04B2/84—Walls made by casting, pouring, or tamping in situ
  • E04B2/86—Walls made by casting, pouring, or tamping in situ made in permanent forms
  • E04B2/8635—Walls made by casting, pouring, or tamping in situ made in permanent forms with ties attached to the inner faces of the forms
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
  • E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
  • E04C3/30—Columns; Pillars; Struts
  • E04C3/34—Columns; Pillars; Struts of concrete other stone-like material, with or without permanent form elements, with or without internal or external reinforcement, e.g. metal coverings
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
  • E04B2/84—Walls made by casting, pouring, or tamping in situ
  • E04B2/86—Walls made by casting, pouring, or tamping in situ made in permanent forms
  • E04B2002/867—Corner details

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to insulated concrete wall forms. More particularly, the present invention relates to a reinforcement for a panel or block in an insulated concrete form system.
• ICFs Insulated concrete forms
• a typical ICF can comprise a pre-assembled block and/or one or more outside or main panels, and one or more inside or opposing panels across the wall cavity.
• Each panel usually has an exterior surface and an interior surface. In contrast to the exterior surfaces which generally do not oppose or connect with any other panels in the ICF, the interior surfaces of the main and opposing panels abut the concrete wall once concrete has been poured into the wall cavity.
• the panels are typically left permanently in place to serve as thermal or acoustic insulation, to provide space for running electrical wiring & plumbing, and as backing for gypsum boards, stucco, brick, or other siding on both the inside or outside of the panels or pre-assembled block.
• the panels in an ICF system are often made of foam insulation or some other durable insulating or composite materials (foam, cement, wood chips/saw dust, plastics) or such as expanded polystyrene. Because of the flexibility required for diverse applications, lightweight panels that can be easily transported to the job site in sections are most desirable. Panel sections can be secured together using ties or braces, or can slide together in a lock-and-key, tab-and-slot, dovetail, tongue-and-groove or other interlocking arrangements with respectively interlocking members (see, for example, US Patent No. 5,428,933, issued July 4, 1995 to Philippe and incorporated herein by reference, which describes flipable, reversible and/or bi-directional panels having an interlocking arrangement therein). The panels can be flat (yielding an even surface of concrete throughout the walls) or shaped, such as in a waffle or grid, where the concrete is thicker in some sections than others within the wall.
• spacers can be attached to each panel in a variety of ways.
• a bracket holding a spacer is slid over the top edge of the each panel, such that a bracket holding the spacer is situated on both the interior and exterior surfaces of the panel.
• a spacer is secured to a panel by passing the spacer through the panel and secured on the exterior surface by a retaining means (such as a nut, clamp, or the like).
• spacers can be attached to panels using the same tongue-and-groove assembly as described above.
• braces are added to the interior or exterior surfaces of corner/wall panels after installation of the panels in the concrete form at the job site.
• Brace assemblies consisting of one or more braces attached together to form a matrix, can be pre-fabricated and inserted within the corner panel section.
• a previously- prepared assembly is not usually practical because of increased labour, variations in the wall heights and sizes and/or angles at corners throughout the ICF system. It is often necessary to custom build a brace support as the needs arise.
• T-walls or column is less well known in the prior art, and especially not in ICF systems.
• additional spacers are added around the T-wall/column intersection.
• traditional spacers which are used in other locations in the ICF system may not be particularly suitable at locations of high vulnerability, such as at the T- wall intersection.
• inside corner brackets connect the interior main wall panels to the inside panels of the intersecting T-wall.
• overlapping exterior corner brackets that span the concrete cavity between opposing panels are added.
• an exterior corner bracket is cut and placed on the outer wall panel.
• Ties are added to connect the outer panels with the inner panels, particularly at the junction of the inside main wall and intersecting wall, with the main panels. Additional flanges are required to support the outer panels.
• bracing is required to support the back side of the T-wall. Additional spacers alone may not be sufficient to prevent blow-out at T-wall intersections.
• an inside T-wall plate is placed on the top edge each of the panels and an outside T-wall plate is placed on top of a second panel opposite the first panel.
• Ties are used to hold the panels together.
• the ties are perpendicular to each of the panels of the T-intersection.
• the plates are required to hold the panels together and to provide a means for attaching the linking ties between opposing panels.
• the plates are only secured to the top of the panels, leaving the bulk of the panel vulnerable to stress. Further, the spacers only connect opposing panels; there is no indication that the highly-vulnerable location on the panel directly opposite the T-wall intersection is protected.
• T-walls are supported using standard brackets which connect the main panel with opposing panels, and connect the intersecting panels (across a channel between intersecting walls).
• An inward-projecting (i.e., toward the intersection) block is situated on the main wall to help reinforce the panel at the T-wall intersection; however, no additional supporting means are used specifically at the T-wall intersection.
• prior T-wall assemblies have only protected opposing panels, without protecting or supporting the highly-vulnerable location on the main panel directly opposite the end of the intersecting panel(s).
• brackets are not properly secured to the panel, either due to poorly-fitting brackets/spacers or because of a lack of sufficient time at the job site to properly retrofit the panels, the spacers may become disengaged from supporting brackets, or disassemble from the panel altogether.
• the spacers may only serve to hold the panels at a fixed distance from each other, rather than adding any additional stabilization. This lack of stabilization increases the risk of blow-out which can result in unnecessary and costly delays to the project.
• the spacers themselves may not be suitable or structurally adequate to cope with increased pressure at the vulnerable locations. It may be necessary to install many different types of spacers throughout the ICF system to accommodate varying pressure sensitivities. Selecting the right spacer at the right location can be a challenge and inconvenient. If an improper spacer is chosen, there may still be an increased risk of blow-out regardless of any added support. Attempts to reinforce or stabilize the T-wall or column by buttressing the exterior side of the main panel can be challenging.
• One problem with these exterior supports is that their installation at the job site can add a considerable amount of time to perform a particular task, as it requires the builder to interrupt or delay the pouring of concrete within the form until the extra buttresses are added. Further, the buttresses are most ideally anchored to the ground or to another fixed location at a distance from the main wall. The absence of sufficient space to anchor the buttress to the ground or a sufficiently sturdy location renders their placement more difficult, particularly in multi-level construction.
• the present invention provides an insulated concrete form comprising a main panel, a first opposing panel opposite the main panel, a spacer having first and second ends for maintaining a fixed spacing between the main panel and the first opposing panel, a reinforcement on the main panel for stiffening the main panel, a spacer retention element integrated in the reinforcement for securing the first end of the spacer to the main panel, and a first opposing spacer retention element in the first opposing panel for securing the second end of the spacer to the first opposing panel.
• the reinforcement can have one or more than one spacer retention elements.
• the ICF can further comprise a second opposing panel opposite the main panel and first opposing panel, and having a second opposing spacer retention element integrated therein for securing a second spacer to a second spacer retention element in the reinforcement on the main panel.
• the second spacer maintains a fixed distance between the second opposing panel and the main panel.
• At the ends of each of the opposing panels can be attached intersecting panels, such that the intersecting panels are connected to each other by a spacer attached to intersecting spacer retention elements in the intersecting panels.
• a system comprising the opposing panels connected to the reinforced main panel and the intersecting panels produces a reinforced T-wall or column insulated concrete form.
• the combination of a panel reinforcement with an integrated spacer retention element was found to add additional support in locations which are highly vulnerable to blow-out (such as at T-wall intersections).
• Using the reinforcement of the present invention on a main panel directly opposite the intersecting panel opposing panels in the ICF system can be connected by spacers in the usual manner while at the same time stiffening the main panel.
• the reinforcement is sufficiently sized so that it can protect the entire length of the panel, from top to bottom, when connected to the panel, and not merely at point locations in the panel.
• the reinforcement can be used with opposing panels which are offset by differing heights or widths, or which face each other at different angles.
• the reinforcement of the present invention can be readily retrofitted to any ICF panel, including those panels which are flipable, reversible and bi- directional.
• a reinforcement can be manufactured to slide into the complementary interlocking elements on the panel, greatly facilitating the addition of reinforcements at the job site.
• any means for connecting the reinforcement to the panel can be used, such as with adhesives or the like.
• the reinforcements can be integrally manufactured in pre -fabricated ICF panels or a pre-assembled block.
• a panel having a reinforcement connected thereto in accordance with the present invention can be used anywhere in an ICF system, and in particular at locations having a high vulnerability for blow-out, without requiring additional supports or reinforcements as commonly used in previous ICF systems known in the art.
• the reinforcement can be made of any suitable material, such as polystyrene or polyurethane foam, plastics, wood, or metal, and can include additional materials such as composite materials, filament tape or fibreglass or steel mesh.
• the reinforcement can also have a cavity therein for receiving and running electrical or plumbing components therethrough.
• an insulated concrete form kit comprising a panel, a reinforcement for connecting to and stiffening the panel and comprising a spacer retention element integrated therein, and a spacer having first and second ends, the first end for securing to the spacer retention element, and the second end for securing to an opposite panel in the insulated concrete form.
• the present invention provides a concrete column form comprising one or more panels, each having a surface facing an interior of the column and a spacer retention element integrated in each surface, and a plurality of spacers each having first and second ends, the first end of the spacer for securing to the spacer retention element on the one or more panels, and the second end for connecting with the second end of an adjacent spacer in the interior of the column.
• Fig. 1 shows a top view of a T-wall form in an ICF system.
• Fig. 2 shows a different embodiment of the T-wall in a top projection.
• Fig. 3 shows the T-wall embodiment of Fig. 2, in top angled projection.
• Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a three-sided form using a reinforcement of the present invention.
• Fig. 5 shows a reinforcement in accordance with the present invention.
• Fig. 6 shows a reinforcement similar to the one in Fig. 5.
• Fig. 7 shows a circular column form.
• Fig. 8 shows a heptagonal column form.
• Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a corner form in accordance with the present invention.
• the present invention provides an ICF system having a reinforcement at a T-wall intersection. More particularly, the present invention provides an insulated concrete form comprising a main panel, a first opposing panel opposite the main panel, a spacer having first and second ends for maintaining a fixed spacing between the main panel and the first opposing panel, a reinforcement on the main panel for stiffening the main panel, a spacer retention element integrated in the reinforcement for securing the first end of the spacer to the main panel, and a first opposing spacer retention element in the first opposing panel for securing the second end of the spacer to the first opposing panel.
• a panel having a reinforcement connected thereto in an ICF according to the present invention is referred to herein as a reinforced panel.
• the reinforced panel can be used at any location along an ICF system.
• the reinforced panel is particularly suitable at locations vulnerable to high stress and blow-outs when concrete is poured in the form, such as at T-wall intersections or corners (which may or may not be at a right angle).
• the reinforced panel can also be used in sections of the ICF system with offset opposing panels, where an opposing panel is not directly (i.e., perpendicularly) opposite but is, instead, at an angle away from the reinforced panel, or where opposing panels are of different heights or widths.
• any ICF panel can be a reinforced panel for use in the system of the present invention.
• Exemplary panels are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,428,933, issued July 4, 1995, to Philippe and entitled "Insulating Construction Panel or Block” and incorporated herein by reference.
• the panels can be flipable, reversible and bi-directional. For example, the panels can be rotated horizontally, vertically, or both, depending on the orientation of the panel and the intended use. They can also be panels having a "universal fit"; this can mean that the panels have no predetermined top, bottom, left or right side.
• These panels can be made of durable materials commonly used by the skilled person in the manufacture of such panels. These materials can include, but are not limited to, polystyrene, polyurethane foam, or other polymer-based or composite materials.
• FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of T-wall form in an ICF system comprising a reinforced panel of the present invention.
• a material such as concrete
• a reinforced panel is used at a T-wall intersection.
• Both the main panel 10 and opposing panel 12 abut a concrete wall formed when concrete is poured into the channel 14.
• an intersecting channel 16 is shown.
• the intersecting channel 16 is formed between opposing intersecting panels 18 and 19.
• Each intersecting panel 18 and 19 can connect to one or more opposing panels 12 or 13 at a corner 22.
• the intersecting panels 18,19 can connect to opposing panels 12,13 through an attachment (e.g., tongue-and-groove or another linker, etc.); however, an intersecting panel and an opposing panel may be one integrated "L"-shaped panel.
• panels used in the ICF of the present invention comprise a reinforcement 20.
• the reinforcement stiffens the panels to prevent blow-out and/or other damage often caused by the pouring of concrete within the channel between the panels of the ICF system.
• the reinforcement is placed on the main panel, such as on an interior surface of the main panel, such as directly opposite intersecting panels in a T-wall or corner intersection, where vulnerability for blow-out is highest.
• the reinforcement 20 can be integral to the panel.
• An integral reinforcement 20 forms part of the panel during the manufacturing of the panel.
• the reinforcement can be made of any durable material, such as polystyrene or polyurethane foam.
• the reinforcement 20 can be made of the same durable material as the panel, which can be advantageous for reducing added costs and time associated with the manufacture of the panel. Depending on the desired thickness of the panel, the concrete wall, or the amount of stress expected at the particular location in the ICF system, the reinforcement 20 can be any size or shape, and can jut into the channel 14 any distance. In certain embodiments of the panel of the present invention, filament tape, fibreglass mesh or other reinforcing materials can be placed within the integrated reinforcement 20. These optional materials add extra stiffness to the panel as needed in a given ICF system.
• the reinforcement of the present invention comprises one or more spacer retention elements. Exemplary spacer retention elements 23, 23a and 23b are shown.
• Spacer retention elements 23a,b receive and secure spacers 24a,b to the reinforcement 20 which in turn serve to connect and stabilize opposing panels in the ICF.
• main panel 10 has a reinforcement 20 connected thereto and having spacer retention elements 23a,b integrated within the reinforcement 20.
• Spacer retention elements used in the present invention are typically made of a durable, yet flexible, material such as moulded plastic (e.g., high impact polystyrene).
• a spacer retention element can be inserted into a reinforcement prior to injection of the panel material (which, as mentioned, may be any durable material such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, composite material or the like) during the manufacture of the panel.
• EPS expanded polystyrene
• a spacer retention element is held in place in the reinforcement by the surrounding EPS.
• the use of a polystyrene spacer retention element is highly favourable for placement in EPS foam.
• Within the EPS are beads of material that, because of the compatibility of the EPS with the insert, fuse with the polystyrene spacer retention element.
• spacer retention elements can be positioned in any orientation within EPS foam, i.e., they can be randomly distributed within the reinforced panel, or placed in particular positions as required for the particular use.
• Spacer retention elements can be any shape for receiving a spacer.
• the spacer retention element is a dovetail design having a groove therein. This design can be used for receiving and securing spacers, which can be slid into the groove.
• any spacer retention element may be used in the context of the present invention.
• Spacer retention elements can also be angled within the reinforcement such that spacers secured thereto are also angled.
• the angle of the spacer retention elements within the reinforcement will vary depending on the concrete core thickness and, if used at T-wall junctions, the location of the corners of the intersecting wall.
• Spacer retention elements can be placed such that spacers secured thereto are at an angle of between 0 and 90° from the panel. Optimally, this angle is 45° from the panel, although any suitable angle can be used. With spacers placed at an angle, a broader section of the panel (and panels opposite thereto, to which the spacer connects) can be reinforced.
• main panel 10, opposing panels 12 and 13, and intersecting panels 18 and 19 comprise spacer retention elements.
• not all of the panels may have a reinforcement 20.
• main panel 10 has a reinforcement 20 with integrated spacer retention elements 23a,b.
• a panel may not have a spacer retention element integrated in a reinforcement.
• the spacer retention element may be integrated directly into the interior surface of the panel itself.
• an "opposing panel" ie., opposite the main panel
• a spacer retention element can include, for example, retention elements in a side of the opposing panel facing the interior of the concrete channel, at an end of the opposing panel, or in any component, attachment or adaptor added and secured to the opposing panel which is suitable for retaining the spacer.
• ICF panels having spacers connecting opposing panels via spacer retention elements which are not integrated in a reinforcement may be more vulnerable to blow-out during concrete pouring.
• the reinforced panel is particularly suitable for use at high stress locations in an ICF system where blow-out is more likely to occur, such as, for example, directly opposite the ends of intersecting panels at a T-wall intersection.
• Spacers 24 and 24a-c are used to space apart opposing wall panels, such as main panel 10 and opposing panel 12, or intersecting panels 18 and 19. Any spacer can be used as appropriate for maintaining a fixed distance between the interior surfaces of opposing panels in an ICF system.
• a spacer can be made of any durable and flexible material.
• the spacer can also be adaptable and adjustable in length, size and shape for accommodating narrower or wider channels, formed between opposing panels. Spacers particularly suitable for use in the present invention have enough flexibility and tolerances to accommodate offset insertions at varying locations, such as at T-wall intersections which may or may not be exactly perpendicular to the main panel.
• Locking spacers such as those described in US Design Patent No. 435,212, can be used to assist in the reinforcement of the form to prevent compaction, floatation or blow- out. Spacers of this sort can slide into each other (such as on top of each other) or can be separated into two locking spacers as required. The spacers can then lock into the spacer retention elements on the panel and become "trapped" when pressure from poured concrete or slurry is applied. Locking spacers reinforce the panel vertically and horizontally by locking and holding the panels of the form tightly in place as the channel in the form is being filled with concrete. This helps to minimize or prevent movement of the panels in the form and maintaining a uniform distribution of pressure from the poured concrete.
• Figure 1 shows the placement of spacers 24 and 24a-c connecting main panel 10 to opposing panels 12 and 13, and intersecting panels 18 and 19.
• spacers 24a, 24b are secured to spacer retention elements 23a,b in a reinforcement 20 on main panel 10, and to spacer retention elements 23c,d at the junctions of opposing panels 12,13 and intersecting panels 18,19, respectively.
• pressure is directed to the reinforcement 20 on main panel 10.
• the three spacers 24a-c form a triangular reinforcement area.
• the triangulation comprising the combination of a reinforcement and integrated spacer retention element, adds support to the vulnerable T- wall intersection and reduces the likelihood of blow-out when concrete is poured.
• FIGS 2 and 3 show additional embodiments of the ICF system of the present invention.
• the reinforcement is a modular reinforcement 30 which is connected to a panel 36 in the ICF.
• any number of modular reinforcements 30 can be added at any location in the ICF system.
• the modular reinforcement 30 is suited for use at locations having an increased risk for blow-out, such as at a T-wall intersection, corners or column forms.
• the modular reinforcement 30 has one or more spacer retention elements integrated therein. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2, modular reinforcement 30 comprises two spacer retention elements 32 and 34; however, any number of spacer retention elements may be integrated in a modular reinforcement.
• the modular reinforcement 30 can be connected in any way to the main panel, such as at the surface of panel 36, and can extend, as shown more particularly in Figure 3, from the top to the bottom of the panel (or beyond, in the case of offsetting panels) to enhance the coverage of reinforcement.
• the modular reinforcement 30 can be manufactured with complementary interlocking elements such that the reinforcement slides into the interior surfaces of the panels.
• the reinforcement can be bonded with compatible glues at any desired location on the panel. In either case, the reinforcement should be sufficiently strong and durable to resist any hydrostatic pressure from the poured concrete.
• spacers 32a and 34a are secured to spacer retention elements 32 and 34, respectively, within reinforcement 30, and to spacer retention elements 35a,b, respectively, at the junction of panels 37 and 39 and at the junction of panels 37a and 39a.
• Figure 4 shows another embodiment of an ICF which may incorporate the reinforcement of the present invention.
• main panel 36 opposes and is connected to three-sided panel 88.
• the three-sided panel 88 comprises opposing panel 37 (such as the panel illustrated in Fig. 2), side panel 92 and third panel 90.
• Reinforcement 80 is shown with an additional spacer retention element 82, in which spacer 84 connects with third panel 90.
• Spacer 32a connects the reinforcement 80 to the corner spacer retention element 94 of the three-sided panel 88.
• spacer 84 can be adjustable in length to accommodate a wide range of distances spanning the channel between main panel 36 and opposing panel(s).
• FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a modular reinforcement of the present invention.
• Modular reinforcement 40 can be any shape.
• the modular reinforcement 40 has a semi-circular or half-moon shape.
• a flat edge 42 of the modular reinforcement 40 connects with a panel, such as panel 36 in Figures 2 to 4.
• the modular reinforcement 40 is attachable to a panel by sliding dovetail segments 46 into corresponding grooves on the panel (not shown).
• An arcuate portion 38 of the modular reinforcement 40 extends into a channel between the interior surfaces of opposing panels.
• the modular reinforcement 40 shown in Figure 5 contains two spacer retention elements 44 and 45. Spacers (not shown) can be slid into the spacer retention elements 44 and 45, as described above.
• FIG 6 shows a different embodiment of the modular reinforcement which can be used in the ICF system of the present invention.
• the modular reinforcement 50 can attach to a panel in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 3 or can be glued at any location within the assembly. In this exemplary embodiment, no spacers are required. Instead, modular reinforcement 50 has a hollow interior cavity 52 which can act as a buffer between the poured concrete and the panel to which the modular reinforcement 50 is attached. The cavity 52 is suitable for passing materials therethrough, such as plumbing or wiring, before or after the concrete wall has been completed.
• spacers may be incorporated into the modular reinforcement as appropriate.
• an insulated concrete form kit comprising a panel, a reinforcement for connecting to and stiffening the panel, the reinforcement comprising a spacer retention element integrated therein, and a spacer having first and second ends, the first end for securing to the spacer retention element, and the second end for securing to an opposite panel in the insulated concrete form.
• the kit is particularly useful for assembling an ICF on the job site and can also be advantageous in situations where additional reinforced panels are required.
• a insulated concrete column form comprising one or more panels, each having a surface facing an interior of the column and a spacer retention element integrated in each surface, and a plurality of spacers each having first and second ends, the first end of the spacer for securing to the spacer retention element on the one or more panels, and the second end for connecting with the second end of an adjacent spacer in the interior of the column.
• Columns can be pre-fabricated or manufactured on a job site. In either case, the columns can comprise one or more of the reinforced panels as described herein, particularly if shapes other than circular columns are desired.
• a column may be incorporated into an ICF wall assembly, combined with another column, or be a stand-alone column for decorative purposes.
• Figures 7 and 8 show different embodiments of the columns which can be used in the present invention.
• Figure 7 shows a circular column.
• the column form panel 60 illustrated in this exemplary embodiment is a singly-constructed circular panel.
• the column form panel 60 can be made of the same durable material as other panels used in the present invention.
• the column form panel 60 may have one or more spacer retention elements 62, either attached to the column form panel 60 at a construction site or integrated within the column form panel 60 when the panel is manufactured.
• Spacer 64 helps support the column form panel 60 when concrete is poured in the column channel 66. While any spacer known in the art can be used, it would be particularly advantageous to use a spacer having interconnecting spacer clips 68.
• spacer clips 68 permit a plurality of spacers 64 to link together and add further stability to the column form panel 60.
• a spacer 64 can have a spacer clip 68 which permits the connection of two spacers 64a,64b, one on either side of the spacer.
• An additional tie wrap or band (not shown) can be added around the interconnected spacer clips 68 to provide additional reinforcement to the column form spacer 60.
• filament tape, fibreglass mesh or other reinforcing materials can also be placed within the column form 60.
• the spacer clips 68 interconnect such that a cavity 69 is formed.
• This cavity 69 permits utilities (such as electrical cables, mechanical devices or ductwork, for example) to be passed therethrough.
• a second (“double") column can be positioned within the cavity 69, if desired.
• Figure 8 shows an example of an insulated concrete column form which is not a true circle.
• Non-circular column forms, such as the exemplary heptagonal form 70 shown in Figure 8 can be manufactured as a one-piece form, or can comprise a plurality of panels 72 which are combined to produce the heptagonal column form 70.
• the heptagonal form 70 can have one or more spacer retention elements 74, either attached to or integrated in each panel 72.
• Spacers 76 having interconnecting spacer clips 78 can be used to form cavity 79. The spacers 76, spacer clips 78, and cavity 79 have been described above.
• Figure 9 shows another embodiment of the present invention, as used in a corner.
• corners i.e., at a terminal intersection of one panel against another panel, for example
• a corner reinforcement 90 can be inserted at the junction of two intersecting panels 92 and 93.
• the intersecting panels can intersect at any angle, but are often perpendicular (i.e., at or about 90°) to each other.
• the intersecting panels may or may not abut each other; they may be connected merely via the corner reinforcement connected to each of the intersecting panels, or some other means to connect the panels as would be known in the art.
• the corner reinforcement 90 can be attached to the panels by any means, such as through the use of complementary interlocking elements whereby the reinforcement slides into the interior surfaces of the panels. Alternatively, the reinforcement can be bonded with compatible glues, or other suitable attachment means.
• Spacers 94a and 94b connect the corner reinforcement 90 with opposing panels 95 and 96 across channel 97. Similar to the exemplary T-wall and offsetting wall embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 4, the spacers can connect to the opposing panels at one or more corner retention elements 98.
• the corner retention elements 98 can be in a side of the opposing panel facing the interior of the channel, at an end of the opposing panel, or in any component, attachment or adaptor added and secured to the opposing panel which is suitable for retaining the spacer.
• the "opposing panel" in the context of the present invention can be any component of an ICF which has a spacer retention element therein and can secure a spacer for maintaining a distance between a reinforcement in or on the main panel and the opposing panel.
• any suitable spacer can be used, including spacers which are adjustable and adaptable to different widths across the channel 97.

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  • 2007-07-13 US US12/374,224 patent/US20090308011A1/en not_active Abandoned
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  • 2007-07-13 EP EP07763899A patent/EP2049743A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2007-07-13 WO PCT/CA2007/001240 patent/WO2008009103A1/en not_active Ceased
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